Krisztina Egerszegi Biography: Medals, Husband, Ethnicity, Age, Backstroke, Net Worth, Awards

Krisztina Egerszegi is a Hungarian former competitive swimmer who became prominent when, at just 14 years of age, she claimed Olympic gold in the 200-metre backstroke at the 1988 Seoul Games.

She specialised in backstroke, individual medley, and butterfly events, and over her career she won five individual Olympic gold medals and set world records—earning her a place among the greatest swimmers Hungary has produced.

Known affectionately by fans as “Egérke” (“Little Mouse”), she is widely regarded as one of the most successful female swimmers in Olympic history.

Profile

• Full name: Krisztina Egerszegi
• Nickname: Egérke (Little Mouse) / Egér (Mouse)
• Date of birth: 16 August 1974
• Age: 51 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Budapest, Hungary
• Nationality: Hungarian
• Profession: Retired competitive swimmer
• Height: 1.74 m
• Weight: 57 kg
• Eye color: Brown
• Hair color: Light brown
• Parents: Father – István Egerszegi; Mother – Zsuzsanna Egerszegi
• Siblings: One older sister
• Spouse: Dr. Péter Sárdi (married 1999)
• Children: Three sons – Bálint, Dániel, and Zsombor Sárdi
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Ethnicity: Hungarian
• Net worth: $3–5 million

Early Life and Education

Krisztina Egerszegi (51 years old) was born on 16 August 1974 in Budapest, Hungary to parents István Egerszegi and Zsuzsanna Egerszegi. She began swimming at a very young age with the Budapest Spartacus SC.

She was coached by László Kiss, who guided her from youth competitions to Olympic glory. Information about her formal academic education is limited, but she balanced her studies with rigorous training throughout her teenage years.

Personal Life

Krisztina Egerszegi married Dr. Péter Sárdi, a physician, in 1999. The couple has three sons—Bálint, Dániel, and Zsombor—and they live a private life in Budapest. She has largely stayed out of the spotlight since retirement, choosing to focus on her family and community work.

Career

Krisztina Egerszegi’s swimming career began in childhood and escalated rapidly into international prominence. She made her major international debut at age 13–14 at the 1987 European Aquatics Championships, and by the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, she had claimed gold in the 200 m backstroke and silver in the 100 m backstroke, becoming one of the youngest Olympic swimming champions ever.

Throughout the early 1990s, she dominated backstroke and medley events, setting world records in both the 100 m and 200 m backstroke at the 1991 European Championships in Athens (1:00.31 and 2:06.62 respectively).

At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, she won three gold medals (100 m backstroke, 200 m backstroke, 400 m individual medley). At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, she added another gold in the 200 m backstroke (her third consecutive Olympic gold in that event) and a bronze in the 400 m individual medley.

Egerszegi retired from competitive swimming in 1996 at the age of 22, leaving behind a record of consistency and dominance rarely matched.

Post-retirement, she has continued to contribute to Hungarian sports as a goodwill ambassador, public speaker, and role model for young athletes.

Awards and Nominations

Olympic gold medals:

• 1988 – Gold (200 m backstroke)
• 1992 – Gold (100 m backstroke, 200 m backstroke, 400 m individual medley)
• 1996 – Gold (200 m backstroke)

Other Olympic medals:

• 1988 – Silver (100 m backstroke)
• 1996 – Bronze (400 m individual medley)

World Championships gold medals:

• 1991 – Gold (100 m backstroke, 200 m backstroke)

European Championships world-records:

• 1991 – World records in 100 m backstroke (1:00.31) and 200 m backstroke (2:06.62)

Other honors:

• Hungarian Sportswoman of the Year (1988–1993, 1996)
• Inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame (2001)
• Member of the Hungarian Olympic Committee and several national sports councils

Net Worth

Krisztina Egerszegi’s estimated net worth is between $3 million and $5 million. This wealth comes primarily from her prize earnings, sports sponsorships during her active career, and long-term national recognition that includes ambassadorial roles and state honors.

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